The Encounters/Sithengi Documentary Coproduction Forum has thus far been a great success. From 170 initial entries, 58 projects were chosen to pitch in Cape Town and Johannesburg during the 5th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival 2003.

The Preliminary Pitches were moderated by Canadian Peter Wintonick [Dir: Noam Chomsky: Manufacturing Consent] and the Panel was made up of Commissioning Editors from SABC1, 2 and 3; representatives from Encounters and Sithengi, visiting filmmakers Archie Baron [UK] and Paul de Bont [NL], local producers Don Edkins and Letebele Masemola-Jones and local distributor Mike Dearham [FRU].

From the Preliminaries 13 projects have been chosen to participate in the DCF Consultations, 8 with SABC commitment attached. The Consultations will take place in Cape Town and Johannesburg with Oscar winning director & producer Vikram Jayanti [When We Were Kings Oscar winner 1997] and local acclaimed director Brian Tilley [It's My Life 2001].

All African filmmakers still have an opportunity to enter the process by submitting proposals to the DCF. Proposals submitted to the DCF for this round must have secured a minimum of 20% of the submitted budget. The commitment of a local broadcaster is beneficial.Click here for submission requirements.

Projects selected from these submissions will be invited to attend a 2 day Pitching Workshop in Cape Town prior to the DCF Pitch, to a panel of international commissioning editors, at the 8th Sithengi Film & TV Market.

DATE LINE:

6 - 8 October : DCF Consultations in CT

9 - 11 October : DCF Consultations in JHB

10 October : Submissions Deadline for all other African projects

11 - 12 November : 2-Day Pitching Workshop in CT

13 - 16 November : 8th Sithengi Southern African Film & TV Market

15 November : DCF Pitch

All filmmakers whose projects are selected for the DCF Pitch will be required to register as Sithengi delegates. See Sithengi website for various registration options.

Encounters and Sithengi have developed this programme to assist filmmakers to prepare their pitch to a panel of international co-producers.